Research Specialist Jobs in Washington
Research Specialist jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in biomedical research, public health, higher education, and technology policy, with openings at every level from research assistant through senior specialist. Seattle, Spokane, and Bellevue are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by institutions and employers such as the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Microsoft. The most sought-after specialties in Washington are clinical research, data-intensive social science research, and environmental and public health research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Overview: This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a variety of research studies at VA Puget Sound. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a nationally renowned program
that produces innovative solutions for Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research
studies. The Puget Sound NODES is one of 21 national centers within the CSP.
Key Duties:
. Participate in all aspects of conducting clinical research under the direction of the NODES Research
Program Manager and Local Site Investigators. This can include: screening and recruiting potential
study participants, obtaining informed consent, enrollment, randomization, scheduling research
appointments, data collection, conducting study procedures, administering study surveys, collecting
and processing biospecimens, reporting study adverse events/side effects, and completing appropriate
study documentation; both in-person and over the telephone.
. Prepare study materials, including: regulatory paperwork, informed consent documents, case report
forms (CRFs), enrollment logs, participant reimbursements, and drug/device accountability logs.
. Assist in the development and implementation of clinical research standard operating procedures and
policies.
. Attend local and national study meetings as required.
. Provide back-up coverage for study team members on planned or unexpected leave.
. Assist with various tasks to support the NODES program, such as:
o Creation of the local NODES Newsletter
o Scheduling meetings and preparing agendas
o Special projects and workgroups both locally and nationally
o Facilitating purchase orders for supplies
o The hiring and onboarding process for new hires
o Research outreach events
. Perform other related duties as outlined in research protocols and as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required:
. BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific or health-related field
. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group
of researchers and staff
. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
. Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
. Excellent time management skills
. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines
. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Preferred:
. Human subjects research experience
. Experience working with underserved and/or Veteran populations
Additional Information: There may be travel opportunities for national CSP research meetings and to
regional sites. Candidates must be US citizens. Depending on the candidate’s experience, the target salary will
be GS5-GS7 according to the Office of Personnel Management General Schedule table at opm.gov.
Please send a cover letter and resume to Julieann.Marshall@VA.Gov. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled; however, materials received by 10/29/2026 will be considered first.
For more information about CSP, please visit Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES) - VA
Cooperative Studies Program (CSP).
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
Work Location: In person
Overview: This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a variety of research studies at VA Puget Sound. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a nationally renowned program
that produces innovative solutions for Veteran and national healthcare problems through multi-site research
studies. The Puget Sound NODES is one of 21 national centers within the CSP.
Key Duties:
. Participate in all aspects of conducting clinical research under the direction of the NODES Research
Program Manager and Local Site Investigators. This can include: screening and recruiting potential
study participants, obtaining informed consent, enrollment, randomization, scheduling research
appointments, data collection, conducting study procedures, administering study surveys, collecting
and processing biospecimens, reporting study adverse events/side effects, and completing appropriate
study documentation; both in-person and over the telephone.
. Prepare study materials, including: regulatory paperwork, informed consent documents, case report
forms (CRFs), enrollment logs, participant reimbursements, and drug/device accountability logs.
. Assist in the development and implementation of clinical research standard operating procedures and
policies.
. Attend local and national study meetings as required.
. Provide back-up coverage for study team members on planned or unexpected leave.
. Assist with various tasks to support the NODES program, such as:
o Creation of the local NODES Newsletter
o Scheduling meetings and preparing agendas
o Special projects and workgroups both locally and nationally
o Facilitating purchase orders for supplies
o The hiring and onboarding process for new hires
o Research outreach events
. Perform other related duties as outlined in research protocols and as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required:
. BA/BS or higher degree in a scientific or health-related field
. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse group
of researchers and staff
. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
. Solid problem-solving and critical thinking skills
. Excellent time management skills
. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines
. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Preferred:
. Human subjects research experience
. Experience working with underserved and/or Veteran populations
Additional Information: There may be travel opportunities for national CSP research meetings and to
regional sites. Candidates must be US citizens. Depending on the candidate’s experience, the target salary will
be GS5-GS7 according to the Office of Personnel Management General Schedule table at opm.gov.
Please send a cover letter and resume to Julieann.Marshall@VA.Gov. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled; however, materials received by 10/29/2026 will be considered first.
For more information about CSP, please visit Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (NODES) - VA
Cooperative Studies Program (CSP).
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
Work Location: In person
See All 7 Research Specialist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Specialist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a research-relevant field such as biology, public health, or social science
- Experience designing and executing research studies, including data collection and analysis protocols
- Proficiency with statistical software such as R, SPSS, SAS, or Python for quantitative research work
- Familiarity with IRB submission processes and human subjects research compliance requirements
- Strong scientific writing skills for grant applications, reports, and peer-reviewed publication support
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and coordinate across multidisciplinary research teams
Research Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research specialist in Washington?
Most research specialist roles in Washington require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, psychology, public health, epidemiology, or social science, with many positions at major research institutions expecting a master's degree. Washington does not issue a state license specific to the research specialist title, but clinical research roles frequently require or strongly prefer the Certified Clinical Research Professional credential from the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Candidates with IRB training and demonstrated lab or data analysis experience advance most readily in Washington's competitive research market.
Which companies hire research specialists in Washington?
Employers hiring research specialists in Washington right now include Three Saints Bay, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and Casey Family Programs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's concentration of academic medical centers, federally funded research programs, and large technology firms means research specialist hiring is broad across both the private and public sectors.
Which Washington cities have the most research specialist jobs?
Seattle and Keyport are the Washington cities with the most research specialist openings, driven by the dense cluster of universities, hospital systems, biotech firms, and federal research agencies in the Seattle-Bellevue metro, while Spokane's growth reflects Washington State University Health Sciences and Providence Health anchoring a regional research hub.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the specialty. About 33% of research specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a market where some roles remain on-site. Survey research, policy analysis, literature review, and qualitative data coding are the sub-functions most commonly performed remotely, while laboratory, clinical, and fieldwork roles require an in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a research specialist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for research assistant or research coordinator positions at Washington's major academic medical centers and universities, where formal programs exist specifically for candidates newer to the field. The University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center both run structured research training and post-baccalaureate programs that place people without graduate degrees into active research teams. Completing IRB human subjects training, building skills in a statistical package such as R or SPSS, and pursuing the Certified Clinical Research Professional credential all strengthen a candidacy against more experienced applicants.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 7 Research Specialist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist Jobs